Revolver cylinder and mounting therefor



June 18, 1963 J. T. IVY

REVOLVER CYLINDER AND MOUNTING THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 24, 1961 m r M r. y m a n J A June 18, 1963 J. T. IVY

REVOLVER CYLINDER AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed April 24, 1961 INVENTOR.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BX (vgwwfi W June 18, 1963 J. T. NY 3,093,922

REVOLVER CYLINDER AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Filed April 24, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent 3,093,922 REVOLVER CYLINDER AND MOUNTING THEREFOR Jessie T. Ivy, 523 Henderson St., Seattle, Wash. Filed Apr. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 105,228 6 Claims. (Cl. 42-62) This invention relates to revolvers and has reference more particularly to certain improved features of revolver construction that are related either directly or indirectly to the cylinder of the revolver; this application being a continuation-in-part of my US. application filed on August 3, 1959, under Serial No. 831,288, now Patent No. 3,030,723, entitled Revolver With Full and Semi-Automatic Action.

Furthermore, the present invention is concerned with revolvers that may have one or two separate barrels or a double bored barrel; that may be equipped with means for automatically cocking the hammer incident to the firing of each cartridge and with means for forwardly indexing the cylinder as the hammer is cocked.

It is one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a revolver with improved mountings for the cylinder trunnions to permit it to be more readily removed for reloading and then easily replaced and secured in its mountings.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved latching means for yieldably retaining the cylinder trunnions in their mountings but permitting their ready displacement for removal and reloading of the cylinder.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention reside in the provision of a readily removable cylinder, having two concentric and circularly arranged rows of cartridge chambers, with chambers of the different rows disposed in staggered arrangement; in the provision of flattened indexing surfaces on one of the end portions of the cylinder mounting trunnion forming shaft, designed to coact with a spring means whereby accuracy in indexing is insured; and to provide that the trunnion forming shaft may also be used for a quick and easy ejection of cartridges or empty cases from the cylinder after it has been removed from the revolver frame.

Another object of the invention is to provide a revolver cylinder with certain notches, slots and sockets, with which especially designed spring latches coact, .to prevent any possibility of incorrect cylinder indexing.

Further objects and advantages of the invention reside in the details of construction of the various parts associated with the cylinder and in their relationship, combination and mode of operation, as will hereinafter be described.

ln accomplishing the above mentioned and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a revolver embodying the improvements of the present invention therein, with parts broken away or removed, for explanatory purposes.

FIG. 2 is an enlargement of the cylinder and cylinder containing portion of the revolver frame, with the near side cover plate of the hand grip portion of the frame removed.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

3,093,922 Patented June 18, 1963 "ice FIG. 4 is an end view of the present cylinder, as seen from its loading end.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the cylinder, taken on line 55 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a fragmental side view of parts of the revolver, showing the cartridge firing hammer in down position.

FIG. 7 is a sectional detail on line 7--7 in FIG. 6, showing the cylinder indexing pawl and the cylinder indexing ratchet gear.

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of the indexing pawl and ratchet as seen in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 is a fragmental section of a part of the cylinder showing the extractor disk as adapted for use of automatic type cartridges therewith.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing in perspective, the parts constituting the frame structure or applied thereto.

FIG. 12 is a view, partly in section, showing a revolver with an alternative type of cylinder mounting shaft; this shaft being tubular and containing a spring loaded push rod designed to be moved by gas pressure through the cylinder to cock the hammer and to then be returned to normal position by the spring pressure.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

The improvements of the present invention are herein illustrated in FIG. 1 as embodied in the revolver disclosed in my prior application above mentioned, but are not necessarily restricted thereto. The revolver herein shown is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 10. It comprises the usual frame structure, having a main body portion 10a with which a handle or grip portion 10g is formed. At its forward end the frame 10 mounts two separate barrels, 11 and 12, extending forwardly from the frame in side by side relationship. The main body portion of the frame is formed with the usual rectangular opening 10x in which the present cartridge cylinder 15, embodying the improvements of this invention is removably mounted by an axially contained mounting shaft 16, as seen in FIG. 5, or by the tubular shaft of FIG. 12, each of which will be presently fully described.

The firing of cartridges in the revolver is eifected in the usual way by the action of a spring loaded hammer 17 which is released from its cocked position, as seen in FIG. 2, for firing by a trigger mechanism, preferably that shown in FIG. 2 to include the usual trigger 18 that has its finger pull portion 18' protectively contained in a trigger guard 19 that is formed with the frame 10. It is further to be understood that the frame 10 is equipped with opposite side plates 22 and 23, best shown in FIGS. 3 and 11, wherein it is also to be observed that the front and rear end walls of the cylinder containing opening 10x are formed with laterally opening seats 24 and 25 that are so designed as to receive and rotatably contain therein the opposite end portions of the cylinder mounting shaft 16, where they serve as trunnion supports.

It has also been shown in FIG. 5 that the cylinder 15 is slidably keyed to shaft 16 by means presently described, and that the shaft ends extend beyond the ends of the cylinder as cylinder supporting trunnions, one of which is formed circumferentially thereof, at regular angular intervals, corresponding to the spacing of chambers in the cylinder, with flattened surfaces, as at 16 in FIG. 5, for a purpose presently to be explained.

Keyed on the rear end portion of shaft 16 closely adjacent the rear end surface of the cylinder, is the cylinder indexing ratchet wheel or gear 26. The surface of the rear end Wall member of the cylinder recess 19x is additionally recessed, as at 10z in FIG. 11 as is also the side plate 23 as at 23z in FIG. 3, to accommodate this indexing gear in the removal from or replacement of the cylinder in the frame recess 10x and to adapt the cover plate for containing the indexing pawl as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. It is further to be understood by reference to FIG. 11 that the trunnion seats 24' and 25 as provided, in the frame, open laterally to the left side of the frame through rather elongated passages 2.7-2.7 formed in the side plate 22 as applied to that side of the frame; these pas.- sages being slightly fiared toward their outer end portions as shown in FIG. 3 to more readily receive the trunnions mountings of the cylinder as it is. applied to the frame. When the cylinder is properly positioned, its trunnion supponts rest rotatably in the seats 24 and 25 provided for them where they are yieldably held against displacement by leaf springs 28-28 applied as in FIG. 3; which springs are shown to be mounted in recesses 29-29 formed in the bottom walls of the channels 2727 as provided in the side plate, and which lead inwardly to the trunnion seats. Each leaf spring 28 is riveted or otherwise suitably fixed at its outer end against displacement, and it is formed at its inner end with a down-turned shoulder forming portion 30. The inner portions of these springs will be depressed as the trunnions are moved inwardly therealong to their seated positions and will then snapout to trunnion holding position as shown in FIG. 3. The latch, as provided by each spring, will be automatically depressed, by the downward cam-like pressure of the corresponding trunnion thereagainst when such pressure is manually applied against the cylinder to push it from position. However, under normal handling conditions, these spring latches so engage the seated trunnions as to hold the cylinder 15 properly in its functional position in the frame. a

The cylinder 15 is shown-in FIG. 4 to be formed, in the usual circular arrangement, with five cartridge holding chambers 31 for cartridges of the same caliber, and is also formed outside the first circular row with a second circular row containing a like number of chambers 32 for cartridges which may or may not be of lesser'caliber. For example, the chambers 31 may receive .44 caliber cartridges and the chambers 32'receive .22 caliber cartridges. Preferably the chamber arrangement in the cylinder is as in FIG. 4 which show the chambers of the two rows to be for cartridges of different calibers and to be in staggered relationship.

The two barrels I l and 12 with which the present revolver is shown to be equipped have their inner end portions reduced in diameter and shouldered and fitted in bores 11b and 12b provided therefor, respectively, in the forward end of the frame 10a and side plate 23. The chambers 31 and 32 of the cylinder are adapted, respectively, to be successively registered with the inner ends of these two barrels by the successive indexing movements of the cylinder. The specific manner of making, assembling and securing the barrels to the frame is not a part of this invention and will not be further explained. However, it is to be noted that each is bored and rifled as required to best accommodate the cartridges used.

It is also to be observed by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, that anextractor plate 40 of disk form is seated in a recess 40r provided therefor coaxially within the rear end surface of the cylinder 15. This disk is of such diameter and is bored with holes registering with the cartridge chambers 31 and 32 and is so peripherally notched as to receive therein certain peripheral rim portions of the cartridges of both calibers as applied to their respective chambers of the cylinder, as seen in FIG. 4. This disk is fixed on the cylinder mounting shaft 16 by means of a key 42 shown in FIG. which key also fixes the small cylinder indexing gear wheel 26 to the shaft 16 and holds it firmly against the outer face of the extractor disk 40 when the cylinder is mounted on the frame.

Normally, that is, when the revolver is loaded and ready for firing, the frame 10, cylinder 15 and its mounting shaft 16 are in the relationship shown in FIG. 2, and the end trunnions of the shaft 16 are seated in the frame seats 274-25 provided therefor. To displace the cylinder from the frame for loading or for the unloading of cartridges or cases therefrom, it is pushed laterally from its normal position of FIG. 3 to or beyond the dashline position in that same view. Empty or full cartridges may then readily be extracted from the cylinder chambers by holding the cylinder in the hand and actuating the shaft 16 rearwardly therein as shown in dash lines in FIG. 5, thus to shift the extraction disk 40 from the cylinder and cause it, by reason of this movement and its peripheral holding contact with the rim flanges of the cartridge cases then in the cylinder to extract them from the cylinder. The shaft 16 is shown in FIG. 5 as having a keyway 42 extended therealong and the inner end of a set screw 42s threaded into the cylinder protrudes into this keyway to prevent the shaft 16 and the disk 40 from rotating in the cylinder and to act as a limiting stop for shaft movement. This extracting operation, as illustrated, shows that the disk or plate 40 has been displaced to the left. Extraction is most eifectively accomplished by holding the cylinder and striking the shaft 116 on its forward end to drive it rearwardly. After extraction, the disk or plate 49 is merely pressed back into the recess 40r, the cylinder chambers reloaded, and then the cylinder is replaced in the frame opposite to its direction of removal.

The cartridges of either caliber, as loaded in the cylinder, are adapted to be selectively fired in the revolver by the action of the hammer 17 which has a pin striking head block 47 that is adjustable to positions for selectively striking firing pins 43 or 43 which are mounted in proper positions in the rear end portion of the cylinder mounting frame, to accommodate the position of cartridges of different calibers. The hammer 17, is as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. It comprises an inner end mounting hub or tumbler portion 17a substantially of cylindrical disk-like form and at its outer end is formed With a head 17h. A pivot shaft 44 extends axially through the tumbler portion 17a and mounts the hammer in the frame for its required swinging action. The portion 17a is contained in a recess 45 formed in the frame and the end portions of the pivot shaft 44 are rotatably contained in sockets provided therefor in parts of or parts applied to the frame 10.

Movably mounted on the striking face of the hammer head 17h, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is the firing pin striking block 47. This is shown to be pivotally mounted by a pivot pin 48 applied through itsupper end portion as in FIG. 7, to permit the lower end portion of the block to be adjusted to the full line position of FIG. 7, for striking against the firing pin 43 that is set in the frame in position to fire cartridges in the outer circle of chambers, or to be adjusted to its dash line position in that same view to strike the firing pin 43 that is set in the frame in position for the firing of the cartridges of the inside circle of chambers.

The firing pins are spring loaded for retraction and are mounted in the frame bores 43x and 43y and may be of the usual form. Each firing pin has a projecting head end portion at its outer end that is adapted to be struck by the hammer block 47 when the hammer is released for firing, and an extended firing pin point at its inner end which strikes the cartridge. The positioning of the hammer head for selective firing of cartridges of diiferent caliber is manually effected. At one of its positions, the head will strike the pin 43. At another it will strike the pin 43 and at an intermediate position it will be positioned to strike both pins. Block positioning is manually effected by thumb pressure applied laterally thereto and the block will be yieldably held at any set position of adjustment by a spring pressed ball latch 50 as shown in FIG. 9 wherein it is seen to be mounted in the striking block and is adapted to be seated in any one of a series of three notches 51 formed in the face of the hammer head over which the block is mounted, to retain it in a selected position.

The cocking of the hammer, as effected either manually with the thumb or automatically, effects an automatic forward indexing of the cylinder through the action of a pawl and ratchet mechanism that has been shown in FIGS. 2, 6 and 7 wherein it is seen that a pawl actuating link 60 is pivotally fixed as at 61 to the lower forward edge portion of the hub or tumbler portion 17a of the hammer 17 to extend forwardly therefrom and at its upper end this link has a spring pressed pawl 67 pivoted thereto and extended into ratcheting contact with the ratchet gear 26 fixed on pin 16. This relationship of parts provides that when the hammer is swung rearwardly from position of FIG. 6 to that of FIG. 2 for cocking, the pawl 67 engages the ratchet wheel 26 and rotates it as required to advance the cylinder 15 one interval. It is shown also in FIGS. 1 and 2, that a sear 68 is provided for latching the hammer when moved to cocked position. The scar is shown to be located in the upper part of the hollow grip frame at the rearward edge of the mounting end of the hammer. It is shown best in FIG. 6 to comprise a slightly upwardly curved forwardly extending lever arm portion 68 that is pivoted in the frame between its ends by a pin 69 and is provided at its rear end with an upwardly and forwardly directed latch tooth 70 and downwardly and rearwardly directed wing 71 against which a coil spring 72 bears to urge the forward end of this lever arm 68 into or toward engagement with the lower periphery of the mounting tumbler portion 17a of the hammer. This tumbler portion of the hammer is also formed on its lower periphery with two latch engaging shoulders 73 and 74 at about 90 spacing. When the hammer 17 is down, the normal position of the sear 68, relative to the hammer is as shown in FIG. 6. With the cocking of the hammer, either by thumb or by any automatic means, the tumbler portion 17a rotates counter clockwise from position of FIG. 6, to position of FIG. 1, but the sear does not move to hammer latching position unless preceded by release of the previously mentioned safety latch mechanism as contained in the hand grip. If the hand grip safety latch has been released, then the sear lever arm 68' is actuated to position of FIG. 1 to cause lever arm 68' to engage stop 74 to hold the hammer in cocked position, until released for firing by trigger pull as later explained.

The safety latch above mentioned is seen in FIG. 1 to be contained in the grip portion of the revolver. It comprises a lever member 89 that is pivoted at its lower end in a seat 81 in the bottom member of the frame portion of the grip. The upper end portion of lever 80'is widened to provide a sort of fin 33 that projects outwardly through a slot 84 formed in the back edge of the frame member. The upper end portion of the lever 80 is normally positioned in such manner that a stop portion 85 thereof at its upper end, will engage against the lower edge of the wing 71 of the sear thus to hold the sear arm 68' against movement. However, when the revolver user tightly grasps the handle grip preparatory to firing, he automatically presses the fin 83 and lever 80 inwardly against the yielding pressure of a coiled spring 86 contained in the handle and, thus displaces the stop portion 85 of the lever 80 from the sear so that the sear lever arm 68' will snap under pressure of spring 72 to hold the hammer in position of FIG. 1.

The trigger, which controls firing, is designated by numeral 18 and it is shown to be of the usual form, with a finger hold portion 18' disposed in the usual trigger guard with its upper end portion extended through a frame slot 90 and pivoted in the slot at 91. At its upper end the trigger has a pivotal connection at 93 with a horizontally disposed lever 92. Lever 92 has a rear portion that extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly in the frame from pivot point 93 and at its rear end is formed with an upturned hook 94 that is adapted under certain conditions, with the hammer down, to be engaged with the shoulder 74 of the hammer mounting tumbler portion 17a. At its forward end, lever 92 has a rounded knob 92k adapted for sliding movement during trigger pull, on the upwardly inclined forward end defining surface of slot 90. Normally, the hammer 17, when down is in the position of FIG. 6, and the trigger actuated lever 92 with the hook 94 at its rearward end will then be so positioned that the book 94 will be engaged with the shoulder 74 of the parts 17a with initial trigger pull. When the trigger is pulled rearwardly from normal positionfor the manual cocking of the hammer, the lever 92 is pulled forwardly to engage hook 94 with shoulder 74 and by continuing trigger pull, it rotates the hammer counter clockwise to its cocked position, as in FIG. 1. The safety latch stop having previously been released from the sear by the user tightly grasping the revolver handle and the sear lever 68 having been rocked by spring 72 into the hammer latching position as in FIG. 1, it will be understood that continuing trigger pull moves the trigger from its normal position shown in dash lines at 18a in FIG. 2 to the full line position where it engages the forward end of a scar actuating pin 95 that is mounted for endwise sliding action in a bore 95' of the frame with its rear end positioned to engage the lower end of the wing portion of the sear. Thus, when the trigger is pulled to its limit, the sear lever 68' will be rocked by the pin 95 in such manner as to displace its forward end firom holding engagement with the stop shoulder 74 of the hammer mounting tumbler portion 17a thus to release the hammer for firing.

Oocking of the hammer can be done manually either by thumbing of the hammer rearwardly or by trigger pull as above described. However, when it is to be done by trigger pull the user first pushes the trigger forwardly from its normal dash line position 18a of FIG. 2 to the dash line position 18b. This causes the rear end portion of lever 92 which is upwardly spring pressed to be positioned to engage the hook 94 with the shoulder 74. Then, with the continuing trigger pull, the hammer, is caused to rotate rearwardly to its cocked position for latching the sear lever 68' with shoulder 74 as in FIG. 1 as trigger pull is relieved.

When the hammer cocking operation is to be effected automatically as, for example, by a gas actuated means, the cocking rotation of the hammer is effected through a a horizontally disposed latch bar 111 which at its rearward end has pivotal connection, as at 112, with the lower peripheral edge of the hammer mounting tumbler portion 17a. This bar is connected at its forward end to a pull rod 109 of the automatic mechanism. When a cartridge is fired, the gas of detonation in the barrel acts through means not herein disclosed in detail to act through a cable 106 and rod 109 to pull the latch plate 111 forwardly to cock the hammer and cause it to be latched by the sear 68 as has been shown in FIG. 2.

It is to be understood that the movement of the plate 111 is the same with either manual or automatic hammer cooking and therefore the gas operated, or automatic cocking means has not been shown in detail as it was disclosed in the parent application. When the hammer is released for firing, by trigger pull, and the pull is retained by pressure of pin 95 against the sear 68, the sear tooth 70 will snap over the hammer shoulder 73 and it then becomes necessary that the trigger pull be momentarily released to allow the sear, under pressure of spring 72, to resume its hammer holding position of FIG. 1 and then, whenever the user is ready he can release the sear by means of trigger pull to fire the next shot.

It has been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 that the rearward if. extent of hammer travel; oan; be selectively limited at predetermined points thus, to provide either for semiautomatic operation orfull; automatic operation, respectively; this being effected by,- the; adjustment of a stop latch plate 130 that is pivotally mounted on the top of the frame, immediately back of the hammer position. This latch, as shown in FIG. 2 is. pivoted on the frame by a screw 131 and has a thumb flange 132 at its rear end for manually adjusting the stop between its two positions. In one position a shoulder .133 at the forward end of the latch acts as a stop for limiting rearward swing of the hammer at a position short of that at which the sear tooth 70 can be engaged by the hammer shoulder 73. In its other position, the latch permits a farther rearward swing of the hammer, and the latching of the sear tooth '70 .over the hammer tooth shoulder 73 takes place as shown in FIG. 2, when trigger is pulled to and held rearwardly.

In FIG. 2, it is shown that a recoil plate 145 is fixed transversely of the rear end member of the frame a that defines the rear end of the cylinder containing opening 10x. This plate is shown to be set in a recess formed just above the position of the indexing ratchet 26. It has holes bored through its opopsite end portions to receive screws for attachment of the opposite side plates 22 and 23, and also is bored for the mounting of the two firing pins 43-43 previously described.

In order to insure proper and exact indexing of the cylinder 12, it is shown, in FIGS. 2 and 6 that the latch plate 111 as attached to the hammer is formed on its top edge with an upwardly extending flange or fin 1111' and the rear peripheral edge of the cylinder is formed in accordance with the degree of angular spacing of cartridge chambers with indexing notches 168. With each forward movement of plate Ill-1 that is incident to hammer cocking, whether manually or automatically, the flange ill-l enters one of the notches 168- thus to accurately register the cylinder bore containing the cartridge next to be fired, with the proper barrel-and firing pin.

To supplement this above described cylinder registration means, I also employ a leaf spring 170 that is mounted in the frame 10 to press yieldingly against the flattened end surf-aces 16 of the forward end portion of the cylinder mounting shaft 16- ascontained in seat 25. This spring is flattened and presses yieldingly against the shaft 16 to assist in locating thecylinder at the exact registration or indexing point. Its location in the-frame is shown best in FIGS; 2 and 5.

As a safety means to prevent firing in the event that the cylinder is not in proper registration, I employ a latch of bell-crank or angular lever form, designated" in dash lines at 174 in FIG. 6. This lever, has a horizontal arm 176 that overlies the rear top surface of the cylinder 15 and a vertical arm 177 at the rear end of the cylinder. Arm 177 is pivoted inthe frame It! at its lower end as at 178. The arm 176 is formed'at its forward end with a downwardly projecting point 179 adapted to enter socket 180v formed at predetermined points in the cylinder when the chamber next to be fired is in exact registration with the proper barrel. If the cylinder is not exactly indexed, then the angular lever 1'74which is located in the line of striking travel of the hammer head 1711 will act as a stop to prevent the hammer head block striking the firing pin or pins.

Various parts of the revolver are subject to modification without departure from the spirit of the invention disclosed. For example, in FIG. 12, I have illustrated an alternative mounting for thecylinder, as Well as an alternative mode of use of gas pressure for cylinder indexing and hammer cocking. In this view the cylinder 15a is rotatably mounted by a trunnion providing tubular shaft #218 which corresponds to the shaft 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2. When the cylinder is in proper position in the frame, this tubular shaft axially aligns with a tube of like character, designated at 225 which is fixedly mounted in the revolver frame along the underside of the barrel and which. near its forward end, has a port 23%) opening therefrom into the revolver barrel. Fitted in this tube 225 is a piston 231 which has a rod 231 extended rearwardly therefrom through a bushing 232 and continues into abutment with rod 244mounted axially in tube 2-18. Acoiledspring Milis retained. under compression in the tube 225 to urge the piston 231 to its forward limit of travel againstaplug- 241 that closes the forward end of the tube.

Slida'bly mounted in the rearward end portion of tube 213, for endwise movement, is a small diameter push rod 244. This is slidable in a bushing 245 that closes the rear end of tube 218. This rod engages at its forward end with the rear end of a similar rod 231. At its rear end rod 24.4. extends slightly beyond bushing 245 into cocking contact with hammer 17. A coiled spring 247 contained in tube 218 acts against a collar 248'fixed on rod 244- to urgethe rod forwardly. When a cartridge is fired, gas pressure propelling the bullet through the barrel, passes through port 239 and drives the piston 231 rearwardly. This acts through rods 231 and 244. to swing the hammer 1-7 to it latched and cocked position.

Its control and operation otherwise may be as in the revolver previously described. Tube and rod lengths are so established that when no gas pressure is being exerted against piston 231, the cylinder 15a can be readily lifted out of the frame as previously explained.

In the event that a cylinder is designed to accommo-v date cartridges of substantial lengths in its larger cham bers, the smaller chambers could be formed with rifiings as shown in FIG. 5, thus making it unnecessary to employ the smaller barrel for the cartridges fired in them, or at least such rifled chambers. add to the effect of the rifled barrel.

What I claim to be new is:

l. A revolver comprising. a main frame formed with anopening therethrough and having laterally opening seats formed in the opposite end Wall surfaces of said opening, a chambered cartridge cylinder removably mounted by said main frame in said opening; said cylinder having coaxial supporting trunnions at its opposite ends, rotatably contained in said seats for its functional support, a side plate applied to said frame, providedwith an opening through which the cylinder is applicable to and removable from. the main frame opening, and a pair of leaf springs fixed at their outer ends to said side plate and formed. at their inner ends with shoulders designed to normally holdingly engage said supporting trunnion of the cartridge cylinder to yieldingly retain the cylinder against displacement from the frame opening.

2. The revolver of claim 1 wherein the opening as pro? vided in said side plate is formed in the opposite end walls thereof with channels in which the cylinder mounting trunnions may be received for guidance in their move ment into and from said seats, and wherein said leaf springs are fixedly mounted in said channels, and are yieldaole for disengaging said shoulders from holding relationship with said trunnions.

3. The revolver of claim 1 wherein one of the cylinder mounting trunnions is formed circumferentially thereof with flattened surfaces at intervals of angular spacing corresponding to the angular spacing of the cartridge chambers of the cylinder, and a leaf spring is fixed in the main frame to yieldingly bear against said surfaces to facilitate accurate indexing of the cylinder in its rotative indexing movements.

4. The revolver of claim 1 wherein said cartridge cylinder is provided with a mounting shaft extended coaxially therethrough and having a keyed connection therewith and which shaft has its opposite end portions extended beyond the end surfacesof the cylinder thus to serve as its mounting trunnions.

5. The revolver of claim 4 wherein the cylinder is equipped at one end with a cartridge extraction disk with References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Du Bose Dec. 21, Rodehaver Oct. 22, Vosrnek Dec. 2, Dickinson Dec. 8, Kelly Sept. 14,

Kauch July 10, 

1. A REVOLVER COMPRISING A MAIN FRAME FORMED WITH AN OPENING THERETHROUGH AND HAVING LATERALLY OPENING SEATS FORMED IN THE OPPOSITE END WALL SURFACES OF SAID OPENING, A CHAMBERED CARTRIDGE CYLINDER REMOVABLY MOUNTED BY SAID MAIN FRAME IN SAID OPENING; SAID CYLINDER HAVING COAXIAL SUPPORTING TRUNNIONS AT ITS OPPOSITE ENDS, ROTATABLY CONTAINED IN SAID SEATS FOR ITS FUNCTIONAL SUPPORT, A SIDE PLATE APPLIED TO SAID FRAME, PROVIDED WITH AN OPENING THROUGH WHICH THE CYLINDER IS APPLICABLE TO AND REMOVABLE FROM THE MAIN FRAME OPENING, AND A PAIR OF LEAF SPRINGS FIXED AT THEIR OUTER ENDS TO SAID SIDE PLATE AND FORMED AT THEIR INNER ENDS WITH SHOULDERS DESIGNED TO NORMALLY HOLDINGLY ENGAGE SAID SUPPORTING TRUNNIONS OF 